Steve Smith

2nd Dan Judo, Club Coach, Club Treasurer

Biography:

I started Judo in 1998 at the age of 38 as supplementary means of keeping fit as I was a keen runner but this has since switched round and Judo takes up most of my exercise time with running now being a supplementary means of keeping fit .
I first started as a recreational player (although I did enter a few competitions for experience in my early days). I was initially with a club called Wallsend Dragons and then later moved to Butokokan Judo when the two clubs merged together in 2005.
I attained my 1st dan black belt in 2010 at the age of 50 and then my 2nd dan black belt in 2016 at the age of 56. When Butokokan closed in 2011 I came to Battlehill Judo Club to train with little experience of coaching. Since becoming a member of Battlehill Judo Club I have progressed into coaching and attained several coaching awards. I regularly attend Judo master classes with GB Olympians, World and European medalists (Neil Adams, Frazer Chaimberlain, Chloe Cowans & Ashley McKenzie to name a few).
Favourite Techniques - Tai Otoshi and Harai Goshi

Qualifications:

UKCC Level 2 Coach, Member of BJA & Bushido Zarzen